Trends in the Beef Industry --
Fundamental Changes Affecting the Food Industry
Whether you are a producer or a consumer, there are quickly moving trends in the food industry that will affect you. One of the most important ones we've seen is changing lifestyles. This may seem obvious to most of us - things like less time at home, more disposable income, the food-on-the-go kind of eating patterns that we have, changes and even losses in cooking skills, diversity of taste. These are all things that are affecting the food industry.
The industry has responded in many ways especially by consumer-focused products. We have value-added products on the market now especially convenience products -- both in the products themselves and in the way they are delivered. I've seen some things called "home meal replacements" and even enhanced products to meet these changing consumer needs.
A second trend is the focus on food safety and health. This has been identified with recalls, consumer awareness of problems; also, in a positive sense, a greater focus on nutrition, on vegetarianism and other types of eating pattern changes, and concerns about diseases like mad-cow.
What is going on here in terms of industry response is a tightening of standards going back to the farm level. One of these is called source verification. When we talk about source verification, it means we can identify the product from the consumer level all the way back to it's original source.
Things like contracting and integration are also important. Globalization is affecting the industry both in terms of the products that we are exporting now. We are selling products on the Internet. We are collecting data and transferring that back from the consumer-level to producers so they can make better decisions.
Environmental issues, animal welfare -- these patterns are being affected through certification programs.
How can producers respond? There are new opportunities emerging; opportunities for identifying products and certifying our products to better meet consumer needs.
For More Information
For additional information, please contact, Lee Meyer.